African violet plant named Carmen

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of African violet named Carmen characterized by its large, single violet-shaped, purplish blue flowers with wavy petal tips; strong, upright flower stems that curve slightly toward the center to form a compact bouquet above the leaves; medium green, spear-shaped leaves; profuse flowering, vigorous and compact growth habit, flowering 10-11 weeks after potting, and its long lasting and non-dropping flowers.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Africanviolet plant, botanically known as Saintpaulia ionantha, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name Carmen.

The new cultivar was referred to during the breeding and selectionprocess by the designation 813 bl. sing. and is a product of a plannedbreeding program. The new cultivar was originated from a cross made byme in the controlled breeding program in Haffen, Federal Republic ofGermany. The female, or seed parent was a cultivar designated H 5/1/83.The male, or pollen parent was a cultivar designated 6 F 30/16.

Carmen was discovered and selected by me as a flowering plant within theprogeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Haffen, WestGermany. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by leaf cuttings, asperformed by me at Haffen, West Germany, has demonstrated that thecombination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivarare firmly fixed andd retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction.

Carmen has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. Thefollowing observations, measurements and values describe the newcultivar as grown in Haffen, West Germany and Nashville, Tenn. undergreenhouse conditions which closely approximate those generally used incommercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Carmen, which in combination distinguishthis African violet as a new and distinct cultivar:

1) Strong, upright flower stems curving slightly toward the center.

2) Large purplish blue, single flowers with wavy petal tips.

3) Profuse flowering.

4) Each plant carries 8-10 and more upright flower stems each of whichcarries 8-12 and more flowers.

5) Long lasting, non-dropping flowers.

6) Vigorous and compact grower.

7) Plant saleable 10 to 11 weeks after potting.

8) Seed capsules push slightly through.

9) Medium green, spear-shaped leaves.

10) After maturity the flowers dry off, and remain on the pedunclewithout becoming infected by botrytis.

The accompanying color photographic drawing shows a typical specimenplant of the new cultivar. The colors appearing in the photograph are astrue as possible with color illustrations of this type.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), except where general colorsof ordinary significance are referred to. Color values were taken undernatural sunlight conditions at approximately 12 p.m. in Nashville, Tenn.

Botanical classification: Saintpaulia ionantha,, Ramat., c.v. Carmen.

Parentage:

Male parent.--6 F 30/16.

Female parent.--H 5/1/83.

Propagation: The new cultivar holds its distinguishing characteristicsthrough successive propagations by leaf cuttings.

Plant: From 8 cm to 11 cm tall when grown in pots, and 25-30 cm indiameter when fully grown.

Leaves:

General form.--Spear-shaped.

Diameter.--65-70 mm wide and 75-80 mm long.

Texture.--Velvety.

Aspect.--Serrated, hairy, slightly shiny.

Veins.--Upperside: visible; underside: well pronounced, light green orpurplish red, shiny.

Color(upperside).--Yellow-Green Group 147 A.

Color (underside).--Greyed-Purple Group 186 A with touches ofYellow-Green Group 148 D. Young leaves are almost as dark asGreyed-Purple Group 187 A.

Petiole.--Strong upright, purplish brown, hairy.

Flowers:

Buds.--Bell-shaped, purplish green, 5-7 mm just before opening.

Sepals.--Five (5).

Color: Brownish green.

Calyx.--Shape: Funnel-shaped. Aspect: Spear-shaped, hairy.

Peduncle.--Character: Strong upright, hairy. Color: Brownish green.

Individual flowers:

Size.--50-55 mm.

Shape.--Single violet-shaped with very noticeable size differencebetween the 2 small and the 3 large petals; wavy petal tips.

Color(upperside).--Violet-Blue Group 89 B. Under cooler temperatures andmore intensive lighting, the purplish blue tends to intensity.

Color(underside).--Violet-Group 88 A to B.

Borne.--Each flower stem carries 8-12 and more flowers on strong,upright peduncles that are free standing above the leaves, therebyforming a compact bouquet.

Flowering habit.--Flowers 10-11 weeks after potting.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens.--Two (2). Anthers: 2 composed of 4 anther cells, seed capsulespush slightly through.

Filaments.--Yellowish green with purplish touch, 3-4 mm long.

Pollen color.--Yellow Group 7 A.

Styles.--6-7 mm long, purplish blue, base of ovary light green andhairy.

Roots: Normally developed, white when young, turning slightly brownishwhen older.

Disease resistance: Up to date, Carmen has shown very good resistance toall major violet diseases.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

Carmen is an attractive cultivar due to its large purplish blue flowerscontrasting nicely with the bright yellow anthers. The flowers aresingle violet-shaped, but the size difference between the large andsmall petals is quite noticeable and the petal tips are wavy. A nicebouquet of flowers free standing above the leaves develops after 10-11weeks. Each of the 10-12 and more strong flower stems carries 8-12 andmore long-lasting, non-dropping flowers. Occasionally, an additionalvery small petal may develop in the center. Medium green, spear-shapedleaves surround the flower bouquet. The seed capsules push slightlythrough.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of African violet named Carmen,as described and illustrated, and particularly characterized by itslarge, single violet-shaped, purplish blue flowers with wavy petal tips;strong, upright flower stems that curve slightly toward the center toform a compact bouquet above the leaves; medium green, spear-shapedleaves; profuse flowering, vigorous and compact growth habit, flowering10-11 weeks after potting, and its long lasting and non-droppingflowers.